After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.After professional hitman Jef Costello is seen by witnesses his efforts to provide himself an alibi drive him further into a corner.
- Awards
- 1 nomination
Cathy Rosier
- La pianiste
- (as Caty Rosier)
Jacques Léonard
- Garcia
- (as Jack Léonard)
- Director
- Writers
- Jean-Pierre Melville
- Joan McLeod(uncredited)
- Georges Pellegrin
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaWhen Jean-Pierre Melville brought a copy of the script to Alain Delon, Delon asked him what the title was. When he was told the title was "Le samouraï", Delon had Melville follow him to his bedroom, where there was only a leather couch and a samurai blade hanging on the wall. Melville had written the screenplay with Delon expressly in mind for the lead.
- GoofsThe streets change from bone dry to soaking wet and raining when Jef flees from the female undercover cop in the Paris Metro.
- Quotes
[hitman enters the room of the bar owner]
Martey, Nightclub Owner: Who are you?
Jeff Costello: Doesn't matter.
Martey, Nightclub Owner: What do you want?
Jeff Costello: To kill you.
[shoots him]
- Crazy creditsThe movie's Opening Credits include an epigraph: " "There is no solitude greater than a samurai's, unless perhaps it is that of a tiger in the jungle." - The Book of Bushido."
- Alternate versionsThe West German theatrical version was cut by approximately eight minutes.
- ConnectionsFeatured in Zomergasten: Episode #10.3 (1997)
- SoundtracksLe Samouraï
Written and Performed by François de Roubaix Et Orchestre
Featured review
exceptionally realistic and cold
For once, a bad guy who really acts like a bad guy should! This hit-man is one cold, non-descript and calculating man who plans and executes his hit with the utmost precision. About the only character I remember who did a more thorough job was the hit-man in Day of the Jackal. The police also seem very bright and competent--and repeatedly nearly trip up the baddie (Jef). Because of all this realism, I strongly commend this movie. On top of the realism, I really liked the ending. All in all, a fine film and there are no negatives that I can think of--except that this type of film is probably NOT everyone's cup of tea, so to speak. There really isn't any romance and no one is particularly likable, but what do you expect in a film like this?
helpful•8629
- planktonrules
- Oct 14, 2005
Details
- Release date
- Countries of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Le Samurai
- Filming locations
- 11 Boulevard de l'Amiral Bruix, Paris 16, Paris, France(Jane's apartment)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross US & Canada
- $180,535
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $14,899
- Mar 31, 2024
- Gross worldwide
- $182,334
- Runtime1 hour 41 minutes
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1
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